Time to read this again

Well, the patterns that endeared STEVE to the UCLA faithful seem to be alive and well here in Queens.. It's almost like the script being re-played.

If the program doesn't explode this week, as many have predicted, maybe the graceful exit strategy will be embraced by the University and Steve alike.

One of the attributes of sites like this is the constant demonstration by fans of how much they enjoy St John's basketball. Or, did enjoy it for most of the last 100 years.

Dissatisfaction results , not when a team loses but, when a pattern emerges that indicate that progress forward is not being made or, when play is so inept that the Coaching has to accept much of the responsibility.

Norm had no resume as a winning Coach and showed early on he wasn't up to the job. Lavin had a resume, albeit with a 8 year gap, but,we were so desperate for a better choice than Norm that we jumped at the name recognition Lavin provided.. And,if one didn't put his UCLA record under a microscope, all those SWEET 16'S ETC LOOKED MIGHTY GOOD.

Now, we too are experiencing much of what drove Bruin fans nuts.. No real progress on the COURT.

Lavin,put our name on the sports page again, for 1 year but, it appears he's reached his high water mark..

Let's take the high road, thank him for his service, wish him well and say he will not be renewed after his contract expires. This would likely involve a negotiation for the last year.

We can then begin anew a search for a COACH qualified to take us to a NCAA BERTH.
 
Thank you redmen1992 for providing the link. I had previously read it, but this time I read the ensuing comments. These comments read almost exactly like those posted on this site. PLEASE, PLEASE do not make us suffer through more years of this guy. Lavin is a dead-end proposition. I hope someone inside the St. John's heiarchy sees this.
 
The big difference is that Lavin at ucla hired a lot of buddies as his assistants. Here at sju he hired some big time assistants and a lot of is thought that would make all the difference. It seemed to work when Dunlap was here but not since then.
 
It sounds like you are saying that we hired a coach that needs to hire assistants that can do the coaching.
 
As dear old Yogi would say, Lavin's performance at St John's has been a case of "deja vu all over again"
 
It sounds like you are saying that we hired a coach that needs to hire assistants that can do the coaching.
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The assistants flat out suck! They are old cronies from out west, except for Tony, and the wizard needs coach Keady as a $200,000 per year sounding board. If we were going to hire an incompetent DBO we should have hired the Lincoln turd and at least gotten a couple of players in the deal!
 
It sounds like you are saying that we hired a coach that needs to hire assistants that can do the coaching.
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The assistants flat out suck! They are old cronies from out west, except for Tony, and the wizard needs coach Keady as a $200,000 per year sounding board. If we were going to hire an incompetent DBO we should have hired the Lincoln turd and at least gotten a couple of players in the deal!
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Couldn't agree more. Morton at least wins at Lincoln.
 
The big difference is that Lavin at ucla hired a lot of buddies as his assistants. Here at sju he hired some big time assistants and a lot of is thought that would make all the difference. It seemed to work when Dunlap was here but not since then.
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Good coaches hire good assistants to make them better. Bad coaches do not become good coaches by hiring good assistants.
 
THis particular post by on of the Bruin commenters describes many of the traits and tactics fans here have been complaining about for months now. Eerily similar:


"while still at UCLA, went to war with the UCLA fan base accusing us of having “unreal” expectations for demanding excellence. He continued that mantra as a broadcaster and has done more to establish that label than anyone else on air.................players NEVER got better — because he could not teach them. Reportedly, his practices were totally unorganized and undisciplined. He had great players who carried him. He could not pay them back by improving their skills.
At one point, Lizard had the team playing a “free form” offense — which basically meant that we played street ball, no plans, no structure, no purpose.......................I got so tired of hearing “work in progress” when there was none, and “we are turning the corner” when it was clear we were going in circles "
 
THis particular post by on of the Bruin commenters describes many of the traits and tactics fans here have been complaining about for months now. Eerily similar:


"while still at UCLA, went to war with the UCLA fan base accusing us of having “unreal” expectations for demanding excellence. He continued that mantra as a broadcaster and has done more to establish that label than anyone else on air.................players NEVER got better — because he could not teach them. Reportedly, his practices were totally unorganized and undisciplined. He had great players who carried him. He could not pay them back by improving their skills.
At one point, Lizard had the team playing a “free form” offense — which basically meant that we played street ball, no plans, no structure, no purpose.......................I got so tired of hearing “work in progress” when there was none, and “we are turning the corner” when it was clear we were going in circles "
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"Reportedly, his practices were totally unorganized and undisciplined"

I hear the same thing is going on now with an inept crew. The only guy who organized practices was Dunlap. The other guys are eating six foot heros and Whitesell is wondering what the Fk he did leaving STL.
 
It's time to read this article one more time. He was proven his coaching ability at UCLA and now at St. John's. Can Lavin still recruit at St. John's?

http://www.bruinsnation.com/2011/2/4/1973417/why-we-hate-steve-lavin
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Yes a lot of it is scary because many of the posters here have been saying the same thing. But for UCLA no coach especially back at that time would ever be good enough because they could never be compared to Wooden. I want Lavin to succeed here even if he stays for only one more year. We have to all want him to succeed. If he fails now, the program takes not one step back but probably another 5 years back and may never survive or be revived. I think Lavin knew his shortcomings when he brought in Dunlap but unfortunately Dunlap is gone and no one close to his talent has been brought into the mix.
And one final thing, maybe it is the fact that the players arent executing the way they have been told. Nothing is ever all one sided. As they say, thre are two sides to every story
 
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